Coffee is a morning ritual for many and an afternoon pick-me-up for others. Whatever time of day you reach for a cup, have you ever stopped to think about the health benefits coffee may provide? Regular coffee consumption can be good for you. In this guide, we explore the science behind this beloved beverage and its potential health benefits, as well as providing guidance on how much coffee you should drink. So sit back with your favorite mug and learn something new about the impact your cup of coffee has on you.
The benefits of drinking coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world, with more than two billion cups drunk every day – and for good reason. From stimulating our brain power, to fueling us with essential nutrients, researchers have identified health benefits to consuming coffee, including a lower risk of developing certain diseases and even living a longer life. Below, we explore the science behind the positive health effects drinking coffee has on us.
Coffee improves cognitive function
Coffee may boost cognitive function and help improve memory, alertness, focus, and overall mental performance. The caffeine in coffee is the key compound responsible for these effects as it works to block adenosine receptors, stimulating the nervous system and allowing for improved communication between neurons.
Adenosine receptors are primarily involved in regulating states of wakefulness, relaxation, and sleepiness. They receive chemical messages and activate pathways in an effort to promote feelings of sleepiness and relaxation. Caffeine blocks these adenosine receptors so that these signals cannot be sent, leading to increased alertness. As a result, people may feel they’re able to better focus their attention, feel more alert and energized, and remember more information when they’ve had a coffee.
It’s largely agreed that coffee’s effects are due to it being a stimulant, but there remains some inconsistencies in studies trying to show the effects of coffee on higher cognitive functions. Some have found improvements in cognitive functioning, including reaction times to tasks, attention, working memory, and executive control. Others have found no change after drinking coffee, and there’s also the potential of a placebo effect where expecting caffeine to be stimulating may play a role in the cognitive responses.
It is full of essential nutrients and antioxidants
Coffee contains essential nutrients and antioxidants that can offer numerous health benefits. Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and phenolic compounds are all found in coffee beans and possess antioxidant properties that protect the body from free radical damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Caffeic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid found in coffee beans, as well as other fruits and vegetables. It contains antioxidant properties which help protect the body and reduce inflammation. Chlorogenic acid is another antioxidant found in coffee beans and is believed to have beneficial effects on metabolism and blood sugar levels.
Phenolic compounds are organic molecules that constitute the majority of antioxidants found in coffee; they include flavonoids, phenols, lignans, quinones, and tannins. These compounds offer further protection against inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to health issues over time.
Organic fresh beans or ground coffee is best for having a higher antioxidant content.
Coffee can help us feel better
As mentioned earlier, the caffeine found in coffee can block adenosine receptors in the brain, which leads to an increase in dopamine and other neurotransmitters. This also leads to an endorphin release, which has not only been linked to improved concentration and alertness, but a general feeling of wellbeing.
More than anything, though, many of us simply enjoy a cup of coffee. It’s often the time we take to have a moment to ourselves, as a break from work, to ease ourselves into the day, or it may be a social occasion – meeting a friend for a hot drink, for example. We associate it with a little pick-me-up beyond just the presence of caffeine. Some of us even drink coffee just because we enjoy how it tastes.
Coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of early death
People who drink coffee may be at a lower risk of early death, research has found. Researchers in China found people who consumed a moderate amount of coffee every day had a lower risk of death over a seven-year period than those who did not. It didn’t matter whether the coffee had sugar in it or not and the greatest reduction (a 29% lower risk of death) was found for those drinking between 2.5 and 4.5 cups a day.
Similar results were even found across instant, ground and decaffeinated coffee, although experts caution the finding may not be down to coffee itself. “The observational nature of this new study means these conclusions are far from definitive. This is because coffee drinkers are in general more affluent and have healthier lives than non-drinkers,” Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow told the Guardian.
Coffee may help with weight management
When consumed in moderation, coffee can be part of a healthy diet for weight management. It contains compounds that stimulate fat burning and boost metabolism, which helps to burn more calories and fats. What’s more, coffee drinkers were more likely to keep weight off over time, compared with non-coffee drinkers, according to one study.
Caffeine increase adrenaline levels
The caffeine in coffee increases adrenaline levels, and this can be beneficial in a variety of ways. As we’ve explored, the increase in adrenaline may provide an energy boost, helping to keep you alert and focused throughout the day. It also helps to raise your heart rate and blood pressure, leading to improved circulation throughout your body.
However, high levels of adrenaline may result in jitteriness or restlessness, as well as overstimulation and anxiety. A sudden rush of adrenaline can lead to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and even sweating. And too much caffeine can cause fatigue, headaches, difficulty sleeping, or other issues.
How much coffee should you drink?
Although it’s one of the world’s most popular beverages, coffee isn’t for everyone. The amount of coffee you should consume depends on your individual health and lifestyle, but recommendations tend to say most people can safely drink around four cups a day. That’s a recommended daily intake of around 400 mg of caffeine, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee tends to contain about 95 mg of caffeine.
When determining your ideal intake of caffeine, it’s important to consider your individual health conditions, physical activity level, age, weight, and any medications you’re taking. Some people may be more prone to the adverse effects of caffeine than others. People who are sensitive to caffeine or suffer from anxiety should take extra care when consuming caffeinated drinks or snacks.
You also need to factor in other sources of caffeine you may be consuming such as energy drinks or snacks, tea, chocolate, and various over-the-counter medications. It’s important to be aware of the different sources of caffeine because some may contain more than others. High caffeine consumption can cause restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headaches and trouble sleeping.
Decaffeinated coffee is a good option for anyone sensitive to caffeine, offering many similar health benefits as caffeinated coffee.
And if health benefits are what you’re looking for, while enjoying a cup of coffee you should consider what extras are being added to your brew. Artificial syrups and sweetened creams can alter the nutritional value of your coffee, leading to extra calories, sugar, and saturated fat that may be counterproductive for any health benefits found in regular coffee.
Variations of coffee
You may have noticed you respond to coffee differently depending on where you get it. The coffee you make at home is likely to be quite different to what you’d order at a coffee shop. Variations in coffee are down to numerous factors, such as the type of coffee bean used, how it’s roasted, how much it’s grinded, and how it’s brewed.
The most common types of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta, but they can be roasted and brewed differently – all of which will result in a different flavor. Light roast coffee is lighter in color and has a milder taste, with more acidity than dark roast coffee. Dark roast coffee has a richer flavor, with notes of chocolate and caramel, due to being roasted at higher temperatures for longer periods of time.
Coffee can be prepared differently by changing the grind size, which will depend on the brewing method desired. For example, coarse grind tends to be used for French Presses, a fine one for espresso, and a medium grind for drip machines.
Additionally, different brewing methods involve different techniques. For example, espresso requires finely ground coffee beans to be tightly packed into the portafilter basket before tamping it down before extraction. Cold brews require coarse-ground coffee that typically sits in cold water for 12-24 hours to extract flavors and aromas. Drip machines require pre-ground coffee, already set at the optimal grind size depending on their filter type, while French Presses require boiling water and stirring before allowing it to steep for a set time before pressing the plunger down and pouring.
The world of coffee preparation is quite complex. There are countless types and origins of coffee beans, each with its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. Different grind sizes and brewing methods can be used to bring out different tastes and aromas, and create an infinite number of flavor combinations. Additionally, factors such as water temperature, amount of beans used, roasting time, and filtering techniques all play a role in how coffee tastes.
However you have your coffee, though, you’re likely to benefit from more than just a boost of energy.